Cardiff
 

Hi All,

I'm hoping to fly into cardiff on 27th December to see a friend, and also as the first leg of my CPL qualifier.

Can anyone give me some hints and tips as this will be the busiest airport I've flown into - I'll be approaching from the East (Cranfield) and departing to the South East (Lydd) Also, who do you use as ground agents, and where would I be able to meet my friend - ie main terminal / cafe, etc?

All info appreciated!

DW :ok:

make sure you find Cardiff, and not the RAF base St. Athan which is only a few miles to the West.
depending on the runway in use, it can be easy to route down the coast once you have crossed the severn (I suggest you use the bridges as a navigational guide) until you are visual with the airfield.
don't overfly the chemical works near Barry.
once you have met your friends somewhere in the airport, you will need security to allow you back airside once more - you can arrange for this at the information desk.
you need to wear a t-shirt saying you love charlotte church and that you drink brains bitter.
do not look at anyone's sheep in a lecherous way - it may lead to trouble...........and
watch out for the speed cameras on short finals. If you exceed Vref +10 knots the local Hedlu will be waiting for you.

It's far easier to park and be 'handled' at Cardiff Academy of Aviation on the South side of the airfield - they have a lounge where your friend could wait for you.

Fuelling is provided by Signature, who you could call on arrival.

:ok:

Checkout the VRPs and Cardiff routes in class D in advance (in the Jepp or Pooley flight guides) as ATC ask you to follow standard routes.

Thanks all for the reposnses and PM's - hopefully going to have a great trip!

DW :)

2 parking options for visiting light aircraft

1. Go to Cardiff Academy of Aviation (South side). They have a nice bar/resteraunt and no handling charges. You might have to wait for fuel, although this only tends to happen on weekends.
Tel. 01446 710000

2. Go to Signature Flight Support (North side). They can give you access to the main terminal (no security required for GA flights). There is a small handling charge north side, but you wont have to wait for AVGAS. You will not need to wear a yellow vest as the handling staff will protect you from the jumbo's!
Tel. 01446 712637

In theory, unless you have business with the flying club, you have to go north side, but the airport will let it slip so long as you are domestic and are not picking up or dropping off passengers.

Make sure you are familiar with the PUBLISHED VFR ROUTES. From the east the VFR Docks arrival is nice and easy - just follow the coast and turn inland to route north of Barry town. The VFR South east departure is over the water - North of Barry town, coast-out at lavernock point, keep north of flat holm and head for Weston-Super-Mare.

ATC are very helpfull, just make sure you read back the "PUBLISHED VFR" bit in your clearances. Also make sure you make your initial call to LARS on 126.62 and not to Radar.

Cardiff isn't busy during the winter, so it is good class 'D' practice without traffic. Have fun.

D SQDRN 97th IOTC - It's obviously been a while since youve been to Cardiff! If you park north side you MUST have a handling agent who will escort you both to and from your aircraft.
Routing down the coast 'until visual' is NOT an acceptable arrival. (Unless you wish to be ingested by a 747 on the ILS for 30!)

As previously stated, I found Cardiff very helpful when I went into St Athan during the summer. And as someone else said, just make sure you have the VFR routes handy when flying, as its a help to both if you can recognise points if you get a "route direct" :O

Captain

It has indeed been a few years since I visited Cardiff. But I remember enjoying the place, and that it was a nice and easy airport to fly into. I parked up on the north side of the field. Very convenient it was too for the England v Wales rugby game that I had flown down to watch - I don't remember the score - but I'm sure the next fixture on Feb 4th at Twickenham will be keenly contested.

Will the Welsh miss Gavin Henson if he gets a 6 week ban for his alleged but well placed "drop kick" into the nose of that Tigers prop over the weekend? Shame he wasn't so accurate with his proper attempts at goal.

Is this an obvious thread hijack attempt?

:D